New Delhi, June 13: The Chief Fire Officer of Delhi Fire Service, A.K. Malik, announced that the department has proposed making smoke detectors and sprinkler systems mandatory in residential buildings. This initiative aims to enhance fire safety measures, especially following a tragic incident in Tughlakabad where a fire claimed three lives and left several others injured.
In the early hours of June 12, around 2:25 AM, the fire control room received multiple alerts about a blaze in a multi-story building in Tughlakabad. Recognizing the severity of the situation, eight fire tenders and an Assistant Divisional Officer were dispatched promptly. The fire originated on the ground floor of the five-story building, causing many residents on the upper floors to become trapped due to smoke and flames.
The fire service team executed a swift rescue operation, successfully evacuating eight individuals. Unfortunately, three people lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries, currently receiving medical attention. Officials noted that without the timely intervention, the casualty count could have been much higher.
Malik highlighted that the risk of fire incidents increases during the summer months in North India due to high temperatures and low humidity. Residents often rely heavily on air conditioning and other electrical appliances without adequate maintenance, leading to increased electrical loads. This can result in issues like overloads and short circuits, which are common causes of fires.
To combat these risks, the Delhi Fire Service has submitted a significant proposal to the state government recommending the mandatory installation of sprinkler systems in residential buildings. Malik emphasized that implementing such systems could reduce fire-related damages and casualties by up to 97%. He pointed out that many developed countries have already adopted similar measures, significantly mitigating loss of life.
Additionally, the department is advancing towards developing a GPS-enabled fire department app. Currently, the deployment and operation of fire tenders rely heavily on manual systems. With the new digital system, when a fire is reported, the location will automatically be logged, allowing the software to identify and dispatch nearby fire tenders immediately.
This new system will enable real-time GPS tracking of all fire tenders, allowing for better monitoring and providing the person reporting the fire with updates on the fire tender’s arrival time. Malik stated that this technology will reduce complaints regarding delays in fire service response and significantly improve the efficiency of emergency services. The tender process for this project has been completed, and implementation will begin shortly.
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